Top Stories

Airshow performer Spencer Suderman appears to have set a new world record with an 81-turn, three-minute-plus inverted flat spin in a Pitts S-2B that took him from 23,000 feet to less than 2,000 feet over the California desert. Suderman has applied to Guinness World Records for a new standard in consecutive inverted flat spins. "I'm as excited as hell!" he said. "I've been trying for this for a long time."
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Cessna Aircraft parent Textron has closed a $1.4 billion deal to buy Beechcraft Corp., including Beechcraft's Hawker jet brand. Textron announced that all three brands will continue under the Textron Aviation banner.
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This week, check out a standby instrument at a price you won't believe and an affordable VFR primary flight display in a wrap-up of news from the Aircraft Electronics Association convention. Plus, look at the first flight of Goodyear's new "blimp," and get a view from inside the airplane during a world-record attempt of 81 inverted flat spins.
AOPA Live This Week®, March 20...Share:

Technique and Safety

An 18,000-hour pilot takes off with two pilot passengers after an abbreviated preflight. They're going on a short 10-nautical-mile flight. Less than 1,000 feet in the air, the engine stops, and the pilot crashes trying to turn back to the airport, killing all on board. A careful preflight could have spotted the problem that made the engine seize.
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Brian Drake put a software development career on hold to pursue a dream of flying in Europe. The 33-year-old wingsuit flier is making a name for himself in extreme sport circles, zipping within a few feet of jagged rocks at more than 100 mph as his cameras roll.
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A design refresh of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aviation Weather Center/Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS) website will go live March 25, and pilots can preview the site before the launch.
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One simple rule applies to all pilots, in any flying environment, in any aircraft, and it is arguably the most fundamental rule of flying that keeps us safe—see and avoid. It makes simple sense, doesn't it? We're not alone up there.
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VFR flight into IMC is general aviation's most fatal type of weather-related accident, claiming as many lives as thunderstorm and icing encounters combined. Despite the inherent lethality of such a dangerous activity, pilots continue to roll the dice and lose. Don't get lured into the trap.
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AOPA Fly-Ins

Legendary airshow pilot Patty Wagstaff will serve as an AOPA Ambassador and will meet fans, sign autographs, and speak about the demanding and exciting world of competitive and demonstration flying at AOPA's booths at major airshows and several AOPA Fly-Ins in 2014.
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While Texas is certainly an aviation-minded state, AOPA has worked hard to keep the Lone Star skies friendly to general aviation. As the association prepares to welcome pilots to the AOPA Fly-In April 26 in San Marcos, AOPA is also looking ahead to unfinished business in Austin, and keeping close watch on airport and airspace developments.
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Advocacy

AOPA spoke to a standing-room only meeting of the Santa Monica Airport Association, urging supporters of the embattled airport to speak up and correct misinformation about the airport and its value to the community.
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FBOs across the country are reporting a sudden increase in the number of calls they receive from people claiming to be Customs and Border Protection officers and asking for information about general aviation flights and pilots.
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A team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's International Center for Air Transportation is studying the impact of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic and weather services and would like your input. Please consider taking 15 minutes to complete an anonymous online survey.
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Opinion

Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp says the effort in Congress to allow some pilots to use their driver's license in lieu of a medical certificate is a step in the right direction on a "journey of a thousand miles."
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Travel

An artist's vision executed by aviators in skyscraper-tall letters and numbers over Austin, Texas, drew a massive response on social media. It was a unique celebration of Pi Day (March 14, or 3/14), and it proved to be a demonstration of the power of words written in thin air.
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Safety and training seminars at AOPA's expanded campus at Sun 'n Fun feature important topics presented by Kristine Hartzell of the Air Safety Institute, John and Martha King of King Schools, and flight instructor and author Rod Machado.
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Financial

When a privately owned, public-use airport came up for sale in Hobart, Ind., the real estate broker working to sell it set himself a goal: find an aviation-minded buyer who would keep the welcome mat out for pilots.
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More often than not, FBOs and aircraft owners do not provide adequate coverage (if any) to the renting pilot, putting the renter at huge financial risk. Learn what kind of renter's insurance you need to protect yourself in this webinar with AOPA Insurance Services President Bill Snead, hosted by SocialFlight.
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Aero-Space Reports, an AOPA Strategic Partner, will be the exclusive escrow company for BiddingAce, which offers a new type of website for listing and selling general aviation aircraft.
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Thinking of starting a flying club? Take the guesswork out of a daunting process by attending a webinar on how to start a flying club March 27 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. AOPA Vice President of the Pilot Information Center Woody Cahall will discuss the start-up process step-by-step, using guidelines outlined in the new AOPA's Guide to Starting a Flying Club.Register...Share:

As part of AOPA's seventy-fifth anniversary celebration, help AOPA editors pick the favorite AOPA Pilot magazine covers throughout history. Each week, AOPA will open up one or more polls for members to pick the favorite cover from a specific year. We'll take the member favorites from each year and enter them in a showdown for you to pick the best of the best.
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Join Kathleen A. Yodice on March 26 at 8 p.m. Eastern for an exclusive webinar, which is limited to members of AOPA's Pilot Protection Services Program. The webinar will help you understand what you must do to satisfy the FAA if you are stopped by law enforcement for a suspected DUI, so that you can avoid an unnecessary enforcement action.
Learn more and register now…Share:

The classic Piper J-3 Cub catapulted past the Waco YMF-5D in the first round of the Best Aircraft Showdown, presented by Aero-Space Reports. But can it hold its own against the stylish Beech Staggerwing? Your votes on March 21 will determine which aviation icon makes it to the next round in the bracket-style competition. Then, resume voting March 25.
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Career Opportunities

Barnstormers.com, the largest and busiest general aviation online marketplace in the world, is seeking an advertising account executive to join the team. The successful candidate will have two-plus years' ad or Internet sales experience, a verifiable proven track record of meeting sales quota, and GA market experience.
See a full job description.

Question of the Week

Question

You're flying in a light single-engine airplane and about to fly over a mountain range. The winds aloft are blowing perpendicular to the mountain range. Which side of the mountain range is more hazardous: the upwind side or the leeward side?

Answer

The leeward side presents the greater hazard due to the possibility of downdrafts which may exceed the climb capability of the aircraft. (Source: AIM 7-5-6.)

Got a question for our aviation services staff? The AOPA Pilot Information Center is a service available to all members as part of the annual dues. Contact AOPA.

Aviation Calendar

Check out user-submitted events from your region. To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. AOPA does not endorse the events listed below, nor have ePilot editors edited the submissions. AOPA assumes no responsibility for events listed.